On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that the state prosecutor, army chief of staff, and Shin Bet open an investigation and pursue legal action against twenty-four security force members who anonymously testified in the award-winning documentary NAZA.
The Bottom Line
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a formal investigation and legal proceedings against twenty-four anonymous Israeli security personnel who appeared in the documentary NAZA.
- The film, which focuses on military targeting and civilian casualties in Gaza, received the Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival amid intense domestic controversy.
- The Israel Defense Forces categorically rejected the film’s findings, while government ministers accused the directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, of treason.
Investigation Demanded Over Anonymous Military Testimonies in Venice-Winning Film
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the chief of staff of the Israeli military, the head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, and the state prosecutor to conduct a thorough investigation into the participants of the documentary NAZA, according to an official statement released by his office. The film features the anonymous accounts of twenty-four members of the Israeli military and intelligence services. These participants claim that the armed forces intentionally target and kill large numbers of civilians during strikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The title NAZA refers to the Israeli military acronym used to estimate collateral damage prior to individual strikes, as detailed in the picture. Following its premiere, the documentary was awarded the Jury Prize at the Mostra de Venise, where it drew a twenty-five-minute ovation. However, the project immediately sparked a severe political backlash inside Israel, with several government ministers accusing directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor of treason and threatening to strip them of their citizenship.
Government Condemnation and Proposed Legislation Against Detractors
In the official communication from his office, Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the project directly. “This film raconte un récit mensonger, trompeur et tendancieux, qui diffame l’État d’Israël et l’armée à travers le monde,” the prime minister stated, describing the work as a deceitful narrative that defames the country and its armed forces globally. Netanyahu previously indicated plans to introduce legislation aimed at stripping citizenship from individuals who defame members of the Israel Defense Forces.
The military establishment issued an equally firm response. On October 1, the Israel Defense Forces rejected the allegations contained in the documentary categorically. In an official release, the military questioned the reliability of the anonymous sources and asserted that the directors presented a distorted, misleading, and dishonest depiction of the targeting and planning process. The military stated that the entire premise of the film relies on major factual errors stemming from a manipulative presentation of reality.
| Entity / Official Body | Stance on NAZA | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Condemned film as a false and defamatory narrative | Ordered state prosecutor, army chief, and Shin Bet to investigate and prosecute participants |
| The Israel Defense Forces (Tsahal) | Rejected accusations categorically, citing factual errors and manipulation | Challenged the reliability of the twenty-four anonymous service member testimonies |
| Documentary Directors (Yuval Abraham & Rachel Szor) | Defended the project | Faced accusations of treason and threats of citizenship revocation from government ministers |
Broader Context of the Conflict and Human Toll
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing military campaign launched in response to the October 7, 2023, attacks led by Hamas on Israeli territory. The ensuing war in Gaza has resulted in over 74,000 deaths according to the local health ministry, figures that the United Nations regards as reliable.
While international recognition at Venice brought global attention to the documentary’s allegations, the domestic fallout continues to escalate as state authorities prepare to examine the legal status of the anonymous security personnel who participated in the production.
